Nigeria, Jan. 9 -- Saul replied, "You are not able to go out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a young man, AND HE HAS BEEN A WARRIOR FROM HIS YOUTH." - 1 Samuel 17:33 NIV

The political confrontation between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly, with the unmistakable shadow of Nyesom Wike looming large, reached a new crescendo this week. The House of Assembly, widely perceived as an extension of Wike's political machinery, has commenced a fresh impeachment process against Fubara and his deputy. Once again, Nigeria is confronted with the vexed, emotionally charged, but poorly understood phenomenon of godfatherism in politics.

Public sentiment has largely coalesced around the demonisation of ...